Cloys Summers, of the firm of O. & C. Summers, dealters in groceries, provisions and crockery at Fulton, was born in Barnet, Caledonia Co., VT, Dec. 9, 1833, came to Sterling IL with his parents in 1840, and has made Whiteside County his home ever since. He has spent several years away, but never established a residence elsewhere. He took part in the so called "Kansas War" of 1854. From there he went with a Government train to Albuquerque NM in 1855. He next entered the service of the Hockaday Stage Company, and ran a pony express from South Pass in Salt Lake City. He was in Utah at the time of the Mormon War, and participated in some wild border scenes. He returned to Fulton after spending about four years on the plains and in the mountains.
He enlisted in the late war, in September 1861, in Co. A, 34th IL Vol. Inf., and was promoted Corporal and Sergeant. He served three years, and re-enlisted in September 1864. He was appointed Commissary Sergeant immediately and served til the close of the war. He was in the 14th Army Corps, and with his company and regiment in every battle in which they participated, among them the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta and Jonesborough, siege of Savannah and other minor engagements.
Mr. Summers was married at Fulton IL, Dec. 9, 1866 to Miss Margaret Joyce, daughter of Clayton and Margaret E. Joyce. Mrs. Summers was born in Burlington Co NJ. They have had four children - Belle, born Dec. 4, 1868, died Sept. 14, 1879; Myron D. born Feb. 12, 1870, died Aug 7, 1870; Aetna E. born Aug. 11, 1873, died Aug 7, 1875; and Mary Alice born Oct. 7, 1875.
Soon after his return from the war, Mr. Summers engaged as clerk and salesman for the lumber firm of Langford & Hall, and continued with them till the spring of 1871, when he formed the existing partnership with his brother Oscar. In his political views, Mr. Summers is a Republican.
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